Spaceward
Bound is an educational program developed at NASA Ames Research
Center in California.The mission of Spaceward Bound is to train
the next generation of space explorers by having students and
teachers participate in the exploration of scientifically interesting
but remote and extreme environments on Earth as analogs for human
exploration of the Moon and Mars. These natural environments
pose significant challenges and opportunities for human explorers.

The next generation of space explorers (those
currently in elementary and middle school) needs to understand
how to establish and maintain scientific outposts in harsh environments.
They must be trained to live and work in these environments and
learn how to explore the surfaces of these worlds.

The Spaceward Bound Field Expeditions
involve teachers in authentic scientific fieldwork so that they
can bring that experience back to their classrooms and assist
in the development of curriculum related to human exploration
of remote and extreme environments. The NASA
Idaho Space Grant Consortium is organizing and sponsoring
this expedition for teachers and scientists from Idaho.